Perforated reed for wind instruments



Dec. 14, 1948.

J. MILLER PERFORATED REED FOR WIND INSTRUMENTS Filed Dec. 24, 1947 gnaw/WM Jules 120259;

Mar/g Patented Dec. 14, 1948 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE PERFORATED REED FOR WIND INSTRUMENTS Jules Miller, Atlantic City, N. J. Application Dccember24, 1947, Serial No. 793,578

My invention relates to new and useful improvements in reeds for wind instruments, such as the, clarinet, saxophone and the like, and has for an object to provide a reed that will give longer service than those now in use.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a reed wherein the graduating of the reed may be varied without affecting the strength of the central portion thereof.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a reed so that the moisture which often collects between the lay or flat surface of the mouthpiece against which the reed vibrates will have a place to flow and evaporate.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a reed that rather than being sluggish or reticent will be more vibrant to thus produce a more brilliant tone.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a reed wherein if a softer reed is desired it is not necessary to sand-paper the tip to an extreme thinness as is the present practice.

With these and other objects in view the invention relates to certain arrangements hereinafter set out and more fully described in the claims.

Referring now to the drawings, showing a preferred embodiment,

Fig. 1 is a side view of a mouth-piece with the reed clamped in place,

Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken on line 22 of Fig. 1,

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the reed but with more apertures than shown in Fig. 1 to produce a softer note,

Fig. 4 is a side elevation thereof, and

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 3.

Referring now more particularly to the several views, Fig. 1 shows the mouth-piece I, the reed 2, which is held on the lay or flat face 3 by the clamp 4. The mouth-piece I has the usual tapered front wall 5 and the opening 6, which opening 6 extends rearwardly in the upper wall as far as the defining wall I.

The mouth-piece I and clamp 4 just described, of course, are conventional.

Referring now to the gist of the invention, that is, the reed 2, it is slightly convex at its rear portion and distal end 8 and then is shaved or cut from a point about halfway its length so that it tapers from about the point 9 to its proximal or vibrant end ID to form the vibrant portion similar to the conventional reed.

Heretofore, however, to change the vibrations 5 Claims. (01. 84-383) of the reed to produce a softer note, it has been the practice to use a piece of emery cloth or sand paper and slightly sand the taperedportion of the reed. y

In the" conventional reed, due'to the moisture and saliva of the player, the reed after affew hours playing will start to curl or bend longitudinally and the reed has to'be discarded.

Now, I have found that I can produce a reed wherein it is not necessary to sand-paper the same and vary the thickness to thus change the vibrations of the reed; but, on the other hand, I L mply drill a number of minute apertures I I near t le proximal end of the reed and slightly in from the marginal edges I2. These apertures II may be drilled with a small drill, for instance, a No. 60, or they may be drilled with a smaller drill; and when these reeds are made in quantities, it may be possible to stamp out these apertures I I.

By varying the number of apertures I I the vibrating quality of the reed may be graduated or regulated. Also, by placing the apertures I I along the marginal edges I2 it does not adversely affect the main body of the reed 2.

I have found that what might be termed a sluggish reed may be drilled along the marginal edges, and I have found that the reed then becomes much more vibrant and produces a more brilliant tone.

Furthermore, if the quality of the reed does not suit the player, rather than sand-papering away the tip or vibrant portion or proximal end til to an extreme thinness, it is only necessary to drill additional holes I I' along the marginal edges, as illustrated, and thus leave the thickness of the reed at its normal size.

I have found also by drilling these minute apertures II along the edges of the vibrant portion of the reed so that they lie over the defining side walls of the opening 6 in the lay 3, the moisture or saliva, which often gathers between the reed 2 and the lay 3 and against which the reed 2 vibrates, has a place to flow and evaporate, thus tending for a reed free of tone buzz or rattle.

However, the greatest advantage, as heretofore mentioned, is that what might be a sluggish reed may easily be converted to a vibrant one, to make the reeds produce more responsive notes without altering the thickness of the vibrant portion of the reed.

When making up the reeds, some may be made With-say, four apertures II on each side-and others may be made up with a greater or lesser number, so that a musician may pick out one to his fancy; or, he may even drill additional apertures or have them drilled in the reed, if so desired.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that I have produced a reed that is preferably made of cane reed, although it is possible it might be cast from plastic, and is provided along its side edges near its vibrating end with a plurality of apertures which may be varied to suit the choice of the individual player.

It will also be understood that reeds that are already manufactured can be drilled as illustrated; and, of course, new ones drilled at the time 01' manufacture.

I have found in actual playing that a reed, when drilled, will be much more vibrant and produce a more brilliant tone, and at the same time the apertures will not affect the body or strength of the reed.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A reed for musical instruments, such as the clarinet, saxophone and the like, including the body portion and the vibrant portion, the vibrant portion provided near its proximal end with a series of apertures spaced slightly from the marginal side edges of said reed.

2. A reed for wind instruments having a plu- 4 rality of minute apertures spaced slightly inwardly from the marginal side edges to thereby permit moisture to pass therethrough and to graduate the tonal qualities of said reed.

3 A reed for saxophone, clarinet and the like, the reed provided along its marginal sides with a plurality of minute apertures, and the said apertures also spaced slightly rearwardly of said proximal end.

4. A vibrating reed for saxophones, clarinets and the like, provided with a plurality of apertures spaced from the longitudinal center 0! the reed and rearwardly of the forward end of the reed, to thereby graduate the vibrations of the reed without afiecting the strength of the reed.

5. A reed for wind instruments having a body portion and a vibrant portion, and the vibrant portion provided with a plurality of relatively small apertures therein.

JULES MILLER.

REFERENCES CITED UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Brilhart Nov. 13, 1945.

Number 

